President Prabowo Pays Condolences on Passing of Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad

President Prabowo Subianto visited the Embassy of Qatar in Jakarta on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 to 2013. At the embassy, Prabowo filled in and signed the book of condolences. In his message, the Gerindra Party chairman conveyed his deepest sympathies and prayers for the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. “On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of Indonesia, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. May Allah SWT the Almighty place him in the best place beside God,” Prabowo wrote in English, as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat. President Prabowo arrived at the Qatari Embassy on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, he was greeted by Foreign Minister Sugiono and Qatari Ambassador to Indonesia Sultan bin Mubarak Saad Al-Dosari. The former Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, died at the age of 74 on 12 July 2026. He was a member of the royal family who served as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. Hamad bin Khalifa was born in 1952 into the Al Thani family, which has ruled Qatar since the mid-19th century. Hamad studied at the British military academy, Sandhurst, and became commander of the Qatari army and minister of defence before becoming Emir. In the late 1970s, he was named crown prince to succeed his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. In 1995, Hamad carried out a bloodless coup to seize the position of Emir of Qatar while his father was abroad. Under Sheikh Hamad, Qatar transformed from a small, marginalised country with little money into a force to be reckoned with in its region. Qatar became one of the world’s richest countries by GDP per capita during Hamad’s tenure, thanks in part to its abundant natural gas supplies. During his rule, Qatar ratified its first permanent constitution in 2004. His government also introduced municipal elections, in which women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates. Hamad abdicated in 2013, handing over the position of Emir to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was 33 years old at the time. Tamim has served as Emir ever since.